A gold loafer makes the evening rotation for one reason: it does what a heel does without requiring sacrifice. The right pair shines under low light, sports a leather or metallic upper that folds elegantly rather than creasing flat, and has a low stacked heel or thick sole that anchors the entire shoe so that it looks intentional rather than throw on. Weight and finish are what separates the models you’ll love from the ones you’ll regret. Cheap metallic leather creases badly across the vamp after a few wears and will begin to dull around the toe within a season. High quality pairs that are built to last will maintain their shine because the metallic is integrated correctly onto a layered leather base, instead of sprayed on as an afterthought.
Because fit is more important with this style than nearly any other. A date night loafer should hug your heel with no slippage – you’ll spend half the night taking it off otherwise and undo all the effort you put into polishing it. Look for a close-fitting instep, detailing that’s slim like a horsebit or plain apron tab rather than anything too embellished, and a sole with grip to walk with confidence from the street to bar stool to dance floor. Heels should still be low enough to walk in comfortably because that’s what makes the shoe appealing in the first place; it looks put together without requiring the sacrifices of a stiletto.
As with most things gold, styling a pair is about contrast rather than mirroring. Tailored trousers with a small break that end just above the ankle allow the metallic to shine. Bare ankle and midi skirt looks just as effective while tucking a fine knit into a pair of wide leg denim gives you something more casual. Treat the gold loafer like foot jewellery and keep the rest of the outfit simple. Silk shirt, nice blazer, keep jewellery on other parts of your outfit minimal. Dress everything else too loudly and the shoe gets lost in the noise rather than acting as a punctuation mark on the outfit.
It’s ideal for dinners that start early and end late, private views and any occasion that demands polish without the intimidation of a traditional heel. It’s perfect for those that want to be able to walk to the restaurant rather than arrive leaning on an escorts arm. It will also make for great photographs without trying too hard. After it’s broken in, becomes that shoe you reach for whenever the night calls for something a little dressier than your average flat.
Top Picks
GOLD LOAFERFLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Riva Moc Toe Bit Loafer Burgundy Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
GOLD LOAFERFLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Zaffiro Moc Toe Venetian Loafer Black Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
GOLD LOAFERANINE BINGVionic Women's Uptown Loafer with Arch Support in Desert Sand Patent Leather, Size
$145.00 ANINE BING
LARROUDESuki Soft Loafer In Black Suede - 5.5 / Black
$375.00 LARROUDE
ALLEN EDMONDSAllen Edmonds Miller Reserve Penny Loafer in Black Leather, size 10.0 D
$900.00 ALLEN EDMONDS
FARMRIOMarsala Studded Loafer, MERLOT
$358.00 FARMRIO
LARROUDESuki Soft Loafer In Russet Suede - 9 / Russet
$375.00 LARROUDE
LARROUDELondon Shearling Lace Up Loafer Brown Leather - 6.5 / Brown
$290.50 LARROUDE
FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Zaffiro Moc Toe Penny Loafer Black Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
FARMRIOShierling Loafer, BLACK
$348.00 FARMRIO
SHOEMALL.COMJohnston & Murphy Ali Woven Loafer Women's Gold Metallic Slip On 8
$167.95 SHOEMALL.COM
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Payson Soft Bow Loafer Women's Gold Slip On 9
$91.97 SHOEMALL.COM
LARROUDELondon Shearling Lace Up Loafer Russet Suede - 7.5 / Russet
$290.50 LARROUDE
W CONCEPT (US)With Loafer Flats (2 Colors)
$276.00 W CONCEPT (US)
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Uptown Loafer with Arch Support in Black Multi, Size
$145.00 ANINE BING
THE LUXURY CLOSETGucci Beige Suede Horsebit Loafer Pumps
$196.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
SHIEKHWomen Ballot-04 Platform Loafer Black Crinckle Pu High Heels 9 Black Crinckle Pu
$44.99 SHIEKH
FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Riva Moc Toe Bit Loafer Burgundy Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
W CONCEPT (US)Chain Loafer Heel (3colors_5cm)
$273.00 W CONCEPT (US)
LEAMLe Loafer mocassins
$860.66 LEAM
THE LUXURY CLOSETTod's Green/White Leather and Suede Loafer Pumps
$153.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
CERQULARBALLY Womens Navy & White Leather Loafer Shoes UK 5 Classic Stylish Low Heel
$49.39 CERQULAR
W CONCEPT (US)Kate Loafer Vi21176
$190.00 W CONCEPT (US)
FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Zaffiro Moc Toe Venetian Loafer Black Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
W CONCEPT (US)BIP18315 Mirror Loafer Navy
$244.00 W CONCEPT (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Gold Pin Loafer Nude Beige
$267.00 W CONCEPT (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Chunky Platform Loafer MD1104f _ Tan Brown
$276.00 W CONCEPT (US)
FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Berkley Moc Toe Penny Loafer Burgundy Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
W CONCEPT (US)Baker Gold Loafer (3 Colors)
$120.00 W CONCEPT (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Nodo Giallo Ribbon Loafer
$220.00 W CONCEPT (US)
CERQULARMELLUSO Womens Classic Loafer Shoes Black & Brown Leather UK 5 Comfortable Chic
$32.49 CERQULAR
CERQULARMELISSA Zigzag Loafer Womens Flat Black & White Leather UK 5 Summer Casual Shoes
$44.19 CERQULAR
CERQULARBALLY Womens Classic Loafer Court Leather Black UK 4.5 Elegant Vintage
$49.39 CERQULAR
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Uptown Loafer with Arch Support in Desert Sand Patent Leather, Size
$145.00 ANINE BING
ALLEN EDMONDSAllen Edmonds Miller Reserve Penny Loafer in Dark Brown Polished Leather, size 10.0 D
$900.00 ALLEN EDMONDS
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Uptown Loafer with Arch Support in Tan Leopard Print Suede, Size
$145.00 ANINE BING
FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Como Moc Toe Strap Loafer Black Cherry Size
$145.00 FLORSHEIM
MEMOIWomen's Du-O Net Delicate Lace Loafer Socks - One Size / Brite Gold
$10.00 MEMOI
−67%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Malta Loafer Shoes (Platino Gold Faux Leather) Fabric 7.5 W$90.88
$29.99 LIFESTRIDE
−33%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Hello Loafer Shoes Light Gold Faux Leather DRSCH 9.5$59.69
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−50%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Chelsea Bit Loafer Shoes (Gold Faux Leather) 10.0 W$79.98
$39.99 LIFESTRIDE
−38%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Geneva Loafer Shoes (Gold Faux Leather) 8.5 W$80.63
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−57%
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Sarto Gianna Slingback Loafer (Gold Leather) 9.5 M Square Toe, Buckle Closure$139.51
$59.99 FRANCO SARTO
−27%
NUNN BUSHNunn Bush Shoes Drexel Moc Toe Penny Loafer Cognac Size$109.52
$79.95 NUNN BUSH
−27%
NUNN BUSHNunn Bush Shoes Drexel Moc Toe Penny Loafer Black Size$109.52
$79.95 NUNN BUSH
−9%
FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Milano Moc Toe Bit Loafer Black Size$109.84
$99.95 FLORSHEIM
−7%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Bloom Loafer Shoes, White Perforated Leather Suede, 6.0M Slip-On, Round Toe, Block Heels$139.77
$129.99 NATURALIZER
−7%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Bloom Loafer Shoes, Walnut Brown Leather Suede, 7.5W Slip-On, Round Toe, Block Heels$139.77
$129.99 NATURALIZER
−7%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Bloom Loafer Shoes, Hearts Flame Red Leather Suede, 10.0M Slip-On, Round Toe, Block Heels$139.77
$129.99 NATURALIZER
−7%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Bloom Loafer Shoes, Dune Dust Tan Suede, 9.0M Slip-On, Round Toe, Block Heels$139.77
$129.99 NATURALIZER
−7%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Bloom Loafer Shoes, Black Leather Suede, 6.5M Slip-On, Round Toe, Block Heels$139.77
$129.99 NATURALIZER
−7%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Bloom Loafer Shoes, Ice Blue Perf Suede, 11.0W Slip-On, Round Toe, Block Heels$139.77
$129.99 NATURALIZER
−39%
STUARTS LONDON (US & CANADA)Minnessak x Gloverall Cross Body Bag$285.00
$173.00 STUARTS LONDON (US & CANADA)
